ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE IN THE MAIN PAEDIATRIC INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY PROCEDURES.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the personal dose equivalent Hp(10) in the most frequent (non-cardiac) paediatric interventional radiology (PIR) procedures: central venous catheters (CVC), hepatic/biliary and sclerotherapy interventions. i2 active solid-state dosemeters placed over the lead apron were used to monitor the exposure of three interventional radiologists over 18 months. A database was created to register all procedures performed by each radiologist (including the type of procedure and the kerma-area product, PKA). The mean Hp(10) per procedure for CVC, sclerotherapy and hepatic/biliary interventions was respectively 0.01 ± 0.01 mSv, 0.18 ± 0.13 mSv and 0.12 ± 0.06 mSv (k = 2). A similar value of Hp(10)/PKA was found despite the type of procedure or the patient weight (~10 µSv/Gy·cm2). There was high variability among individual interventions, probably due to the variable level of complexity, which led to uncertainties in the measurements' mean higher than those associated with the dosemeter's angular and energy dependence. i2 therefore proved suitable for monitoring Hp(10) in PIR procedures.

Occupational doses to the eye lens in pediatric and adult noncardiac interventional radiology procedures.

PURPOSE: To assess occupational lens exposure in a mixed interventional radiology department, comparing pediatric and adult procedures. To analyze the correlation between the lens dose and the doses measured at the chest and collar level and the kerma-area product (PKA ). METHODS: For 17 months, three radiologists performing both pediatric and adult interventions were monitored by means of 14 dosimeters per worker: 12 single-point optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) dosimeters calibrated in terms of Hp (0.07) were placed on the inside and outside of two pairs of lead glasses, one for pediatric procedures and one for adult interventions; another whole-body OSL dosimeter calibrated in terms of Hp (10) was placed over the thyroid shield; finally, an additional active solid-state dosimeter, also calibrated for Hp (10), was worn on the chest, over the apron. Furthermore, a database was created to register the demographic and dosimetric data of the procedures, as well as the name of the radiologist acting as first operator. RESULTS: For the three radiologists, who performed 276-338 procedures/year (20% pediatric), cumulative annual doses to the left bare eye exceeded 20 mSv (21-61 mSv). Considering the glasses' protection, annual doses exceeded 6 mSv (13-48 mSv) for both eyes. No important differences were observed in lens dose per procedure between pediatric and adult interventions (0.16 vs 0.18, 0.12 vs 0.09, and 0.07 vs 0.07 mSv), although lens dose per PKA was 4.1-4.5 times higher in pediatrics (5.8 vs 1.3, 3.3 vs 0.8, and 2.6 vs 0.6 µSv/Gy·cm2 ) despite a similar use of the ceiling-suspended screen. Lens doses were highly correlated with collar readings (with Pearson coefficients [r] ranging from 0.86 to 0.98) and with chest readings (with r ranging from 0.75 to 0.93). However, slopes of the linear regressions varied greatly among radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: There is real risk of exceeding the occupational dose limit to the eye lens in mixed interventional radiology rooms if radiation protection tools are not used properly. Regular monitoring of the lens dose is recommended, given lens exposure might easily exceed 6 mSv/yr. Using a collar dosimeter for this purpose might be suitable if it is preceded by an individualized regression analysis. The same radiation protection measures should be applied to interventional radiologists regardless of whether they are treating pediatric or adult patients.

Local diagnostic reference levels for paediatric non-cardiac interventional radiology procedures.

PURPOSE: To establish local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for non-cardiac interventional procedures in paediatrics. METHODS: The type of procedure, the patient's weight and age and dose-related data from 279 interventions was recorded in a database completed by interventional radiologists, radiographers and technicians of the Medical Physics department. These procedures were classified into 14 categories and 6 weight ranges. Local DRLs were proposed for those ranges in which a sample of at least 15 patients could be gathered and were calculated as the third quartile (Q3) of the air kerma-area product (PKA) values. The Q3 of the fluoroscopy time (FT) and number of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images were also obtained. Finally, the correlation between PKA and weight was analysed. RESULTS: Local DRLs are proposed for three types of procedures: hepatic/biliary interventions (5-15 kg, 1304 cGy·cm2; 15-30 kg, 2121 cGy·cm2), sclerotherapy procedures (15-30 kg, 704 cGy·cm2; 30-50 kg, 4049 cGy·cm2; 50-80 kg, 3734 cGy·cm2) and central venous catheter (CVC) procedures (5-15 kg, 84 cGy·cm2). Hepatic/biliary interventions showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.61), while sclerotherapy procedures presented a poor correlation (r = 0.34) between PKA and weight, possibly due to the PKA dependence on the complexity level. Regarding CVC procedures, a clearly higher correlation was found when the fluoroscopy PKA value was normalised to the FT (r = 0.85 vs r = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the feasibility of establishing DRLs for the most common procedures (sclerotherapy, hepatic/biliary and CVC interventions) despite the small number of paediatric interventions.

[Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results of a new therapeutic option for high surgical risk aortic stenosis]. / Implantação percutânea de próteses valvulares aórticas: resultados de uma nova opção terapêutica na estenose aórtica com alto risco cirúrgico.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and unacceptably high surgical risk. METHODS: We present our first two years' experience with TAVI. A total of 76 AS patients were evaluated for TAVI and 23 of them underwent a TAVI procedure. These patients had a mean EuroSCORE of 22.4% and a mean age of 81.5 years, and were prospectively followed for a mean of 12.9 ± 11 months. RESULTS: The percutaneous aortic valve was successfully implanted in 100% of the patients. Mortality at 30 days was 4%. The most common complications were access site-related bleeding and transfusion (22%), followed by new permanent pacemaker implantation (9%). After a mean follow-up of 12.9 months, survival was 87%. In a maximum follow-up of 30 months there were no cases of prosthesis dysfunction or cardiovascular death. CONCLUSIONS: Two years after the introduction of a TAVI program in our center, the procedure has established itself as a safe and effective alternative for patients with severe AS and unacceptably high surgical risk.

Acute lower intestinal bleeding: feasibility and diagnostic performance of CT angiography.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic performance of computed tomographic (CT) angiography as the initial diagnostic examination for patients presenting to the emergency room with acute lower intestinal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was reviewed and approved by the ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient or their closest relative when the clinical condition precluded consent by the patient. This prospective study comprised 47 patients (27 men, 20 women; mean age, 68 years) with acute lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding who were referred to undergo emergency colonoscopy for evaluation. CT angiography was performed in all patients shortly after arrival to the emergency room. Findings identified at CT angiography included active extravasation (ongoing hemorrhage) or hyperattenuating intraluminal contents on noncontrast material-enhanced images (recent hemorrhage). Presence and location of bleeding and likely cause of hemorrhage were determined and compared with the standard of reference (angiography, colonoscopy, or surgical findings). Data collected were analyzed with a statistical software package. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of CT angiography in depicting ongoing or recent hemorrhage were calculated and compared with those of standard of reference. RESULTS: CT angiography demonstrated active bleeding in 14 patients and intraluminal hyperattenuating material in six patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CT angiography in depicting active or recent bleeding were 100% (19 of 19), 96% (27 of 28), 95% (19 of 20), and 100% (27 of 27), respectively. Findings of CT angiography and the standard of reference were concordant for determining definite or potential cause of bleeding in 44 of 47 patients (93% accuracy). CONCLUSION: CT angiography performed in the emergency setting in patients with acute lower intestinal bleeding is feasible and correctly depicts the presence and location of active or recent hemorrhage, as well as the potential cause, in the majority of patients.

Stent graft exclusion of a pseudoaneurysm in a Blalock-Taussig shunt.

This case is the first report of slow-growing pseudoaneurysm after vessel dissection secondary to two stents implantation into classic Blalock Taussig shunt in a patient with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect. Pseudoaneurysm was successfully excluded by a percutaneous approach with self-expandable stent graft deployment from the aorta to the middle of the Blalock Taussig shunt. Nearly 3 years after the procedure, the classic BT is patent, and there were no restenosis or thrombosis in spite of the very long length of the stented segment.

A case of acute abdominal aortic dissection caused by blunt trauma.

We present the case of an 18-year-old man involved in a fall with blunt abdominal trauma. The patient had hypovolemic shock and findings of an acute abdomen. Initial computed tomography (CT) showed pulmonary contusion, pneumohemothorax, hemoperitoneum, hepatic contusion, right kidney laceration and vascular avulsion, rupture of the mesenteric vein, rupture of the right rectus muscle with bowel hernia, and infrarenal aortic dissection. There were no signs of limb or medullar ischemia. After hemodynamic stabilization and surgical repair of the associated lesions, the dissection was successfully treated with a self-expanding aortic Wallstent. Postprocedure CT showed a well-positioned patent stent and the patient was discharged asymptomatic. Percutaneous endovascular stent implantation is minimally invasive and seems to be a safe treatment for traumatic dissection of the abdominal aorta.

Endovascular stent-graft treatment of thoracic aortic disease.

Aneurysmal diseases of the thoracic aorta are life-threatening conditions. In such cases, stent-graft treatment has been proposed as an alternative to surgery. The morbidity and mortality associated with endovascular repair are significantly lower than those associated with open surgery. In the largest surgical series, the mortality ranged from 5% to 20%. In studies of endovascular repair, the 30-day mortality was 0%-20% and the periprocedural stroke rate was 0%-7%. Often, open surgery is prohibited in patients with these high-risk lesions; thus, in many cases endovascular treatment is the only alternative. Thoracic aortic diseases that can be treated with endovascular stent-graft placement include aneurysms, dissection, traumatic rupture, traumatic pseudoaneurysms, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers, and aortic rupture. Thorough preprocedure imaging is essential for selecting patients, choosing the stent-graft devices, and planning the intervention. Prerequisites for endovascular stent-graft placement are an adequate neck for graft attachment and adequate vascular access. When the ascending aorta or aortic arch is involved, surgical and endovascular procedures can be combined and performed simultaneously, allowing treatment of a wider range of cases. An experienced interdisciplinary team is needed to manage such cases.

[Life-threatening hemoptysis in cystic fibrosis: clinical characteristics and management in 36 episodes]. / Hemoptisis amenazante en la fibrosis quística: descripción clínica y actitud terapéutica en 36 episodios.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and management of life-threatening hemoptysis in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We included adult CF patients followed up at the Cystic Fibrosis Units of the Autonomous Community of Madrid who had life-threatening hemoptysis from June 1990 to December 1999. RESULTS: Twelve CF patients (4 females) developed 36 episodes of life-threatening hemoptysis (30 massive and 6 recurrent). Lung disease was moderate to severe. Sputum cultures revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 10 patients. Thirteen episodes (36%) resolved upon antibiotic treatment and 3 (8%) after antibiotic therapy and bronchoscopy. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) was performed in 20 of 36 events. Immediate technique success was achieved in 80% episodes (16 of 20) after one session, 85% (17/20) after two sessions, and 95% (19/20) after three sessions. No major complications associated with the procedure were seen. The overall recurrence rate per episode was 69% (24 of 35 episodes in 6 patients) with a mean time of recurrence of 13 months. There were no massive hemoptysis-associated deaths during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Life-threatening hemoptysis is a frequent complication in CF patients who have moderate or severe lung disease. When conservative therapeutic measures (including antibiotics) fail to control it, BAE should be performed. When performed by expert professionals, BAE is effective and safe to immediate control of life-threatening hemoptysis in patients with CF.

Hemoptisis amenazante en la fibrosis quística: descripción clínica y actitud terapéutica en 36 episodios / Life-threatening hemoptysis in cystic fibrosis: clinical characteristics and management in 36 episodes

FUNDAMENTO: El objetivo del trabajo es valorar la eficacia de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) anidada para el diagnóstico de laboratorio de la infección toxoplásmica activa en pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio en 157 pacientes con infección por el VIH en quienes se investigó la presencia de anticuerpos anti Toxoplasma gondii IgG, IgM e IgA, así como de ADN de T. gondii mediante PCR anidada en muestras de sangre periférica. RESULTADOS: El estudio demostró la presencia de ADN del parásito en 11 pacientes, anticuerpos IgG anti-T. gondii en 56, del tipo IgM en uno y del tipo IgA en 5. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica de PCR anidada es una herramienta rápida, sensible y eficaz en el diagnóstico temprano de toxoplasmosis en pacientes con infección por el VIH, además de ser útil para la indicación del tratamiento en individuos asintomáticos FUNDAMENTO: Estudiar la presentación clínica y actitud terapéutica ante la hemoptisis amenazante en los pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ).PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Pacientes con FQ mayores de 18 años atendidos en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid que presentaron hemoptisis amenazante entre enero de 1990 y diciembre de 1999.RESULTADOS: Doce pacientes (4 mujeres y 8 varones) con FQ presentaron 36 episodios de hemoptisis amenazante. En 30 casos fue masiva y en 6 recurrente. La afección pulmonar era moderada-grave. Diez pacientes tenían colonización pulmonar por Pseudomonas aeruginosa. De los 36 episodios de hemoptisis, 13 (36 por ciento) se solucionaron con tratamiento antibiótico y tres (8 por ciento) con tratamiento antibiótico y fibrobroncoscopia. En los 20 episodios restantes se realizó embolización de las arterias bronquiales. La eficacia de la embolización para el control de la hemoptisis fue de un 80 por ciento (16 de 20 episodios) con una sesión de embolización, de un 85 por ciento (17/20) con dos sesiones y de un 95 por ciento (19/20) con tres sesiones. No hubo ninguna complicación mayor por la embolización. La tasa de recurrencia por episodio fue de un 69 por ciento (24/35 episodios, en 6 pacientes), con un tiempo medio de recurrencia de 13 meses. Durante el seguimiento no se produjeron muertes secundarias a la hemoptisis. CONCLUSIONES: La hemoptisis amenazante es frecuente en los pacientes con FQ y afección pulmonar moderada-grave. Si la hemorragia no cesa con tratamiento conservador (incluyendo antibióticos), debe realizarse embolización de las arterias bronquiales. Esta técnica es efectiva y segura cuando la lleva a cabo personal experto (AU)